Cong’s trump card — the maharaja from neighbouring Punjab

“You saying that I am like your younger brother will ensure me votes,” says Nirmal Singh, the Congress candidate from Ambala Cantt, as he briefs Capt minutes before a rally here. And it seems that his audience is equally enamoured.  As soon as he reaches a rally venue, he gets a rousing reception as people jostle with each other to walk up to him. “I have been dying to meet him. I have been hearing so much about Maharaj sahib,” says Chitra Sarwar, a young woman from Ambala.

On his part, Amarinder comes prepared to attack the INLD and the BJP. “Mein badalan da ilaaj kar reha han. Hooda saab ne Chautaleyan da nilaaj kar ditta par poora nahi hoya. Hun tussi usnu Haryana vichon bahar kad deyo (I am sorting out Badals. Hooda did the same to Chautalas but they still need to be sorted out. So, you throw them out),” he tells a packed rally ground in chaste Punjabi amidst applause and sloganeering.

Once he finishes with his address, he hops onto his SUV and heads off to the next rally venue. A seasoned politician, Amarinder waves to passers-by and attempts to strike a chord with those on the road. He gestures to his OSD Major Amardeep, who is at the wheels, as the vehicle approaches a group of children. Once the vehicle stops he asks the children, “Hello beta, vote ban gayi tuhadi (Have you enrolled yourself as voters?)”. They respond with a grin. “You get a feel of the village from the children. If they are sullen, it means the village is not with you,” he remarks as he rolls up the window.  Its a routine he does again. This time the vehicle stops for a farmer, who is asked about his paddy yield.

At Ambala, it’s back to serious business. “What is Modi doing? I don’t see him in Parliament. He is always touring. If he comes to you asking for votes, tell him to to go back and sit in his office,” Capt tells a gathering.